Spencer Dinwiddie comes up clutch as Nets take care of Pistons in OT

associated press|

Oct 31, 2018 | 11:00 PM

Spencer Dinwiddie and his teammates are trying to change the perception of the Brooklyn Nets. That is why what transpired at Barclays Center on Wednesday night was so important to the fourth-year guard.

"Because of what we're fighting for. We're trying to be a good team and trying the change the tide of the Nets' teams in the past. You got to know how to get out of rut fast," Dinwiddie said after making a 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left in overtime to help the Brooklyn Nets beat the Detroit Pistons 120-119.

Advertisement

"(Losses) can string together and it can affect morale and all that other stuff," Dinwiddie said.

Dinwiddie finished with a season-high 25 points. He was 8 of 15 from the field, including 5 for 9 from 3. Four of his five 3s came in the fourth quarter or overtime.

"I was able to hit a couple shots and help our team win," Dinwiddie said.

Joe Harris added a season high 23 points, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen had 19 each, and Jared Dudley finished with 11. The Nets snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 3-5.

"We've been in this experience a lot," Harris said. "A lot of close (games) last year. A lot of close games to start the season. For us to close one out (and) execute down the stretch_take care of the ball and execute defensively_this is huge in terms of confidence for us and (this is) just a big morale boost whenever you get a win like this."

Spencer Dinwiddie. (Frank Franklin II / AP)

The Pistons have dropped three straight to fall to 4-3.

"When we were 4-0 nobody was cheering for us and nobody is going to feel sorry for us when we lose three in a row," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. "We're in a situation where we have each other. We have to pull together and take care of the mental mistakes we're making, and I have to make sure we're getting better shots for our guys where we can execute better offensively."

"We just have to lock in," said Griffin. "It's just an effort thing or a concentration thing."

The Nets trailed by as much as 10 in the third quarter, and entered the fourth down 83-77. Brooklyn ended up outscoring the Pistons 33-27 in the fourth quarter, with Dinwiddie hitting a 3-pointer with 32 seconds left to force overtime.

"Thank God for Spencer Dinwiddie," Dudley said.

TIP-INS

Nets: In his second game of the season, Nets power forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had eight points and seven rebounds while playing a reserve role. Backup big man Ed Davis had with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

NOT PASSING THE BOARDS

During his pregame press conference, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson bemoaned his team's performance on the glass in a 115-96 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night. In the loss to their crosstown rivals, the Nets were out rebounded 53-32. And Atkinson focused on his guards, who combined for eight rebounds. "A lot of times our bigs are locked in or boxing out a big, and our guards are not pursuing the ball like they should." Against the Pistons, Nets guards had 18 rebounds.